JoeForBananas

Hello All,

I am new to the site and thanks for adding me. I live in the Chicagoland area and have taken an interest in tropical plants specifically, banana plants. I am really enjoying all the posts and beautiful pics of all your gardens, banana plant/trees.

I've always wanted to grow tropical plants but was too chicken to do so. This year, I did a garden tour and ran into an amazing garden which included banana plants. I was instantly hooked. I bought two which I planted in my back yard. They were doing just fine. Growing new leaves and looking healthy until this morning. I noticed that the smaller plant was broken Not sure if it was a squirrel or a raccoon that I often see in my garden. Or, the strong winds from yesterday. Either way, I'm left with a broken banana plant. Is there any hope for this little guy. I've read that it should be cut below the break. I've also read that I should leave it alone as it will produce new shoots. Any suggestions?

Having a hard time uploading pics. I'll try again later this afternoon.
Thank you!

edwmax

PIcs would help. But since you describe it as being little, cut it off just under the break. Within a couple of hours (may be minutes) you will see the center stem pushing out. You should have a new leaf in a few days.

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pitangadiego

Any time a banana plant is bent, folded, broken you need to cut it off below point of injury and let the new leaves emerge from the remaining pseudostem. In some cases the plant will push new growth out the side of the pseudostem and continue growing. Removing damaged portions speeds up the process.

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We Be Bananas
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JoeForBananas

Thank you for your replies. I did as you suggested and cut below the break. Within a few hours it was showing new growth. See progress in pictures below.